Post by : Rameen Ariff

St. Charles County, Missouri – A distinguished judge in Missouri has stepped down following scrutiny over his peculiar courtroom antics tied to Elvis Presley. Judge Matthew EP Thornhill, who held the position of the county’s longest-serving circuit judge, has faced backlash for donning an Elvis Presley wig and occasionally playing the iconic musician's tracks during court sessions.

These peculiarities reportedly spanned multiple years. Thornhill, a devoted Elvis admirer, acknowledged in a letter dated November 12 that he occasionally wore a wig inspired by the rock legend around Halloween and played his songs to alleviate tension and make the courtroom atmosphere more approachable. While he aimed to lighten the mood, the disciplinary board asserted that such actions undermined the "integrity and decorum of the court."

As stated in the disciplinary findings, Judge Thornhill sometimes referenced aspects of Elvis’ life, mentioning his birth, passing, or quoting lyrics during official proceedings. Visual evidence included in the report illustrated Thornhill on the bench donning a black Elvis wig, sunglasses, and even utilizing music while administering oaths.

The report also noted unrelated conduct, including expressing his political views from the bench and inquiring whether witnesses, attorneys, and litigants had noticed his campaign signs for re-election. The commission determined that Thornhill “failed to uphold order and decorum in the courtroom” and recommended a six-month unpaid suspension, followed by 18 months of probation prior to retirement.

In his letter of resignation, Thornhill did not contest the allegations and acknowledged them as "substantially accurate." He accepted the commission's stipulations, facilitating his retirement after two decades of judicial service.

Thornhill is renowned for his deep admiration of Elvis Presley, having visited Graceland, the singer’s residence and resting place, 13 times. He has frequently expressed that Elvis has significantly influenced his life since childhood. Despite his aim to introduce humor, the Missouri court system determined his behavior was unsuitable for a formal courtroom setting.

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